What level of government is responsible for covering the costs of the police of the police body began another back and forth between the city of Edmonton and the province.
As part of its annual report to the Council on Friday, the Edmonton police service said he must hire staff for the “back-end” of the Bodycam program.
EPS estimates that it needs between 40 and 50 people. This would reduce images for disclosure to the public, the media or the crown prosecutors.
“This cost should be paid by the province, not by the land taxpayers of Edmonton,” said the mayor of Edmonton, Amarjeet Sohi.
In September 2024, around 280 Edmonton police officers were equipped with bodywork.
Get daily national news
Get the best news of the day, the titles of political, economic and current affairs, delivered in your reception box once a day.
This decision follows an announcement by the Minister of Public Services and Emergency Services of Alberta, Mike Ellis, in 2023, which rendered the apparatus compulsory for each police service in the province.
“My understanding was that when Minister Ellis made these cameras compulsory, he also undertook to cover the total cost of implementation, equipment and all inclusive costs,” said Sohi.
The province says that it is not correct.
“Police services are responsible for complying with provincial police standards, including the implementation of cameras focused on the body,” Ministry Green’s spokesman Arthur Green told Global News in a statement.
“Municipalities are responsible for the financing of their police services, including costs related to purchasing, operating and staff necessary to implement programs of body used by the body.”
Green says that the province manages costs with a contract on the province for cameras and digital evidence management systems.
“This contract allows municipal and First Nations police services to buy equipment and services at the same prices and conditions as the provincial government, helping to reduce supply and implementation costs for municipalities,” said Green.
Sohi says there must be more discussions on who pays and for what. On Friday, Sohi said he would contact Ellis.
& Copy 2025 Global News, A Division of Corus Entertainment Inc.